Saturday 29th August
I had a couple of enjoyable sessions windsurfing this week. Dollymount was fun on Thursday. I seem to be making some progress in the waves now. Finding the best route out and jumping angles etc. With the strong westerly winds on the estuary yesterday I managed a quick blast on my 68l twinser. Looks like light wind tomorrow so its back to the sail throwing freestyle at Malahide.
Praying Mantis
Wednesday 26th August
Got back from Bulgaria yesterday. My parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and so we all went on holiday together. I didn't get to do any windsurfing while there but did enjoy the sun, sea, food and company. The cool little fella in the picture above is a 4" praying mantis that was resting on our balcony wall on Sunday morning. Anyway when I got home yesterday I went for a light wind session at the estuary. You can't beat cold water for getting rid of jet lag!
Got back from Bulgaria yesterday. My parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and so we all went on holiday together. I didn't get to do any windsurfing while there but did enjoy the sun, sea, food and company. The cool little fella in the picture above is a 4" praying mantis that was resting on our balcony wall on Sunday morning. Anyway when I got home yesterday I went for a light wind session at the estuary. You can't beat cold water for getting rid of jet lag!Simpsonized!
Sunday 16th August
Another good day on the estuary today. Rigged a 5.6 but I should have rigged smaller as there was some big gusts coming through. Oisin rigged a 5.4 I'm getting a few faster conka tacks now. Still no sign of my Vulcans turning into spocks yet! Last night Helen turned me into a my simpson self. Doh!!
Another good day on the estuary today. Rigged a 5.6 but I should have rigged smaller as there was some big gusts coming through. Oisin rigged a 5.4 I'm getting a few faster conka tacks now. Still no sign of my Vulcans turning into spocks yet! Last night Helen turned me into a my simpson self. Doh!!
Polar Bear tries Windsurfing
Saturday 16th August
Sailed for four hours today at Kilcrea on a 5.6 The sun was out and the wind held up for the afternoon. Great to see so many people out on the water.
Check out Bernard the Polar Bear as he tries his hand, (paw) at windsurfing. Looks like he should move that fin back a bit first!
Sailed for four hours today at Kilcrea on a 5.6 The sun was out and the wind held up for the afternoon. Great to see so many people out on the water.
Check out Bernard the Polar Bear as he tries his hand, (paw) at windsurfing. Looks like he should move that fin back a bit first!
Freestyle Gardening
Sunday 9th August
Another flowstyle display of Caesar Finies showing what can be done in light wind. There was Zero wind today in Dublin. The only freestyle I done was freestyle gardening!
Another flowstyle display of Caesar Finies showing what can be done in light wind. There was Zero wind today in Dublin. The only freestyle I done was freestyle gardening!
Two ways to Tango
Tuesday 4th August
Check out Caesar's 'flowstyle' v 'the Tango', courtesy Eduardo Loedel.
Check out Caesar's 'flowstyle' v 'the Tango', courtesy Eduardo Loedel.
Batman Returns
Monday 3rd August
After a 10 year break Las Dominguez and Alan Early met up with me today for a session on the south beach Skerries. Las sailed on the Bat mobile which is a custom board made by Bill Canning in the early 90's. He managed to sail away from nearly all his gybes. Impressive stuff after ten years off from windsurfing. Alan sailed an AHD wave board donated by Bill C. Nice retro gear lads. We sailed for about three hours in and around the sand bar at Shenick island with some waves coming in at the top and loads of wind!! Tom Lotocki and Tom Slomski were also out practicing some freestyle. Looking forward to the next session.
(Click Picture to Enlarge)
After a 10 year break Las Dominguez and Alan Early met up with me today for a session on the south beach Skerries. Las sailed on the Bat mobile which is a custom board made by Bill Canning in the early 90's. He managed to sail away from nearly all his gybes. Impressive stuff after ten years off from windsurfing. Alan sailed an AHD wave board donated by Bill C. Nice retro gear lads. We sailed for about three hours in and around the sand bar at Shenick island with some waves coming in at the top and loads of wind!! Tom Lotocki and Tom Slomski were also out practicing some freestyle. Looking forward to the next session.
(Click Picture to Enlarge)
Fun on the Estuary
Saturday 1st August
Unexpected fun sail at the estuary yesterday. I started on my 6.1 in what looked like fading winds and ended up overpowered sometimes on my 5m . I even had the 84l out for a while. And it didn't rain!! I'm finding it hard to start new moves a the moment. Sometimes its hard to dive into the unknown. I did try some double upwind 360s. No luck though i did get into the second rotation a couple of times. Cool to see so many turned up for a sail.
Unexpected fun sail at the estuary yesterday. I started on my 6.1 in what looked like fading winds and ended up overpowered sometimes on my 5m . I even had the 84l out for a while. And it didn't rain!! I'm finding it hard to start new moves a the moment. Sometimes its hard to dive into the unknown. I did try some double upwind 360s. No luck though i did get into the second rotation a couple of times. Cool to see so many turned up for a sail.
Good While it Lasted
Tuesday 28th July
(Pic: Alex and Dangerman grab an evening session)
I had nice jumping session at Dollymount today. I met up with Carlos and Alison in the early afternoon. The wind was side on, enough for 5.0 with plenty of ramps all the way out. I tried some forward loops but I am still rotating too slow and land down wind of the board with the sail on top of me. I'll figure it out soon! I managed a conka tack on a wave and continued the ride back winded before finishing with a back wind gybe. I was happy with that one. The wind turned more on shore in the evening and weakened. Good while it lasted.
(Pic: Alex and Dangerman grab an evening session)
I had nice jumping session at Dollymount today. I met up with Carlos and Alison in the early afternoon. The wind was side on, enough for 5.0 with plenty of ramps all the way out. I tried some forward loops but I am still rotating too slow and land down wind of the board with the sail on top of me. I'll figure it out soon! I managed a conka tack on a wave and continued the ride back winded before finishing with a back wind gybe. I was happy with that one. The wind turned more on shore in the evening and weakened. Good while it lasted.
Shark Caught in Skerries
Monday 27 July 2009
Richard Brannigan was fishing for prawns off the coast of Skerries, Co Dublin, at the weekend when he got more than he bargained for.
Richard Brannigan was fishing for prawns off the coast of Skerries, Co Dublin, at the weekend when he got more than he bargained for.
The skipper of the Ambitious trawler caught a porbeagle shark weighing 120kg.
(Taken from the independent.ie 22/7/09)
Spock - Kono Combo!!
Saturday 25th July
I just watched Rap legend Mattia Pedrani's new video 'Burners 'n' Choppers'. He does a great combo of spock into Kono at 1 min 43 sec. Nice move!
Check it out.
I just watched Rap legend Mattia Pedrani's new video 'Burners 'n' Choppers'. He does a great combo of spock into Kono at 1 min 43 sec. Nice move!
Check it out.
Honeymoon in Dahab
Sunday 19th July
Just back from Dahab. Helen and myself had a very relaxing honeymoon by the Red sea. We stayed in the Hilton which is an excellent 5 star hotel with great service and very friendly staff. I even managed to get some windsurfing each day and Helen had a go too! I had her sailing in a straight line after about five minutes. Turning around might take a bit longer! I rented from club mistral which had the best offer and was next to our hotel. The staff were very friendly and even gave me the last day free! We did some snorkeling at the lighthouse which was cool. Loadz of multi coloured fishies, sea horses, nemo etc. Its also very cheap to eat out in Dahab. If you like fish you will be spoiled for choice. A full meal for two cost us about €21
Attack of the Air Guitars
Monday 6th July 2009
Helen and Andy's Wedding party. I decided one day before the wedding to play a song with the band on the night. I knew it would be an interesting performance as I had not played with a band in many years and had no practice or rehearsal with the band and had several drinks at that stage on the night. It went down well even though I played in the key of A and the bass player player played in G# for the first verse! No one noticed as they were too busy with the attack of the air guitars : ) Thanks To George for the filming of this rocumentary!
Helen and Andy's Wedding party. I decided one day before the wedding to play a song with the band on the night. I knew it would be an interesting performance as I had not played with a band in many years and had no practice or rehearsal with the band and had several drinks at that stage on the night. It went down well even though I played in the key of A and the bass player player played in G# for the first verse! No one noticed as they were too busy with the attack of the air guitars : ) Thanks To George for the filming of this rocumentary!
Just Married
Saturday 4th July
My self and Helen Tied the knot yesterday. We had an amazing day and night. Thank you to everyone who celebrated the evening with us. I don't have any pics as of yet, but there should be some very interesting ones on the way. I even managed to go windsurfing on the day with Oisin and Tom at the south beach Skerries.
Also check out this picture of Balbriggan Windsurfers taken in 1980.
Click picture to enlarge
My self and Helen Tied the knot yesterday. We had an amazing day and night. Thank you to everyone who celebrated the evening with us. I don't have any pics as of yet, but there should be some very interesting ones on the way. I even managed to go windsurfing on the day with Oisin and Tom at the south beach Skerries.
Also check out this picture of Balbriggan Windsurfers taken in 1980.
Click picture to enlarge
Survived my Stag
Sunday 28th June
Thanks to everyone who turned up for my stag. I had a great night . Started with a Chinese and then over to Joe mays in Skerries for a drink or two. Tom Lotocki introduced me to the art of flaming sambuca. I had to hold sambuca in my mouth and make sure my lips where dry so they wouldn't catch fire as Tom lit it up! Crazy Pol! We then moved on to Shags nightclub for a bop and more devil juice. Finished the night with a swim at four this morning at the north beach. Great night!
Thanks to everyone who turned up for my stag. I had a great night . Started with a Chinese and then over to Joe mays in Skerries for a drink or two. Tom Lotocki introduced me to the art of flaming sambuca. I had to hold sambuca in my mouth and make sure my lips where dry so they wouldn't catch fire as Tom lit it up! Crazy Pol! We then moved on to Shags nightclub for a bop and more devil juice. Finished the night with a swim at four this morning at the north beach. Great night!
Flow Style
Friday 26 June
Not much wind in Dublin at the moment. Cant really complain as the temp is way up this week with just enough wind for light wind freestyle or 'Flow style' as Ceasar Finies is calling it these days. He certainly does flow.
If you haven't seen him yet check his style out here.
Not much wind in Dublin at the moment. Cant really complain as the temp is way up this week with just enough wind for light wind freestyle or 'Flow style' as Ceasar Finies is calling it these days. He certainly does flow.
If you haven't seen him yet check his style out here.
Recycled Tiga Wave Board
Monday 22nd June
I spent the evening making a garden bench from an old Tiga wave board that a friend of mine was dumping. Turned out nice.
Check it out,
Click picture to enlarge
I spent the evening making a garden bench from an old Tiga wave board that a friend of mine was dumping. Turned out nice.
Check it out,
Click picture to enlarge
Island Fun
Sunday 14th June
Yesterday Tom, Oisin and Myself scored another freestyle session at the island. Oisin packed his camera in a ruck sack and managed to keep it dry on the way over. Anyway it was a fun session while the sea breeze lasted.
Yesterday Tom, Oisin and Myself scored another freestyle session at the island. Oisin packed his camera in a ruck sack and managed to keep it dry on the way over. Anyway it was a fun session while the sea breeze lasted.
Today I Rest
Tuesday 9th June
I hope everyone had a good weekend of windsurfing. I know the speed boys did at the burrow. Oisin had a nice freestyle session there yesterday with good reports. I got home from town a bit later yesterday, and so sailed closer to home at skerries on 5.7 I'm feeling tired today after four days of sailing, so in a way I'm happy its not windy!
I hope everyone had a good weekend of windsurfing. I know the speed boys did at the burrow. Oisin had a nice freestyle session there yesterday with good reports. I got home from town a bit later yesterday, and so sailed closer to home at skerries on 5.7 I'm feeling tired today after four days of sailing, so in a way I'm happy its not windy!
Check out pro windsurfer Yoli de Brendt with her latest video of her training in El Yaque - Venezuela
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